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I think that with 4 blown saves in the last 30 days it is time to replace JJ as the closer. My observation is that he has lost his command. I think that a closer that pitches to contact is flirting with disaster anyway. While JJ had an awesome season last year I don't see how Buck can continue to go with him in close games. Question is who should go into the closer role?OdayArrietaHunter

I think he should remain the closer. Believe me that's not what I was screaming at my TV after that disgusting performance Sunday against Toronto, but rationally I think he should keep the job unless he continues to struggle. It keeps the rest of the bullpen in their proper roles. O'day should remain the 8th inning guy which is MORE important than the closer. If there's two on and one out in the 8th inning of a one run game I want the best pitcher on the mound and that's O'day. With all that being said, one more blown 3 run leave and I'll be first in line to remove him from the role for good.

I'm solidly behind Jim Johnson. All relievers have tough stretches. Look at Mr. Perfect in Tampa. He's had his woes as well. I have all the confidence in the world in JJ and my name is NOT Buck Showalter

dan72 wrote:at with 4 blown saves in the last 30 days it is time to replace JJ as the closer.

Probably a little premature to make that kind of decision, but I have never believed in the closer concept. I liked Earl's philosophy of going with the hot hand and I think we should consider doing that.

mikezpen wrote:The Orioles burned out Greg Olsen by overwork and they're doing it to Johnson. It's not the number of innings they pitch; it's the fact that they do a lot of throwing w/o taking many days off.

If they get Johnson back, don't go running him out there 3 days in a row and 5 of 6. Let O'Day be the secondary closer.

Jim Johnson unlike Greg Olson was seen as a potential starter. Johnson's move to the pen and eventual position as a closer was more because in short stints he could get a quick ground ball or two and the occasional strike out. Olson was always going to be either a set up guy or closer. He was never seen as a big durable innings eater. Olson's health ultimately put an end to his career. However, you have to remember few closers are really durable for the long haul. Most flame out quickly.

I think Olson's health was bad because he got run out there too often.And after last year and the early stages of this when he was used a heck of a lot, I think Johnson was fried a bit. Also, his stuff was slipping (or so I read somewhere).

What I w/do is use O'Day as a second closer-maybe when you have a 3-run lead anyway.I'd use him to close tonite in fact.Take some of the load off Johnson.The back end of the Orioles' bullpen has to be strong or they're finished as a contender.

Whether or not you believe Jim Johnson should stay the closer or not, or whether the closer role is the most important in the bullpen, a little regression was expected. You don't save 51/54 games and not come back to earth. He's good, but he's nothing special. Trading him would have been the best course of plan. Darren O'Day is the best relief pitcher on the Orioles and has been since the start of the 2012 season.

The all star brake can't come soon enough for Jim Johnson. Jim has appeared in 43 games tied for 4th most. I think some of the issues maybe fatigue related. Some nights he is spot on while other nights he just doesn't have it. Johnson now has 6 blown saves, and with 7 loses this year, that is more loses than his previous 3 seasons combined..... I have a feeling the team that gets the 2 wild card spots will be decided by a game or two. You see where I am going with this. It looks like Buck is going to stick with JJ at least for now, so how many more saves does he get to blow before we cast him off like we did Kevin Gregg... Who by the way is having a nice season for the Cubs.Last nights loss may have been his worst. I think after the first two batters got on base, we all knew how that thing was going to end up. Dumpsterfire...... It will be time to pull the plug soon if he doesn't get it together.